OUR VETERINARIANS
Dr Sandie Roberts
Sandie was born in the UK and moved to Australia as a young girl. She graduated from Melbourne University in 1989. After working in her home town of Adelaide for a short time, Sandie came back to Victoria and joined the Bacchus Marsh Veterinary Centre. She became a partner in 2005. Sandie has a very special three-legged dog named Mocha, and a pond of twenty three turtles at home!
Dr Paul Clarke
Paul grew up on a dairy farm in NSW. After graduating from Sydney University in 1994 he worked in Gippsland for five years before moving to the UK. After returning to Australia he joined the Bacchus Marsh team in 2001. Married with two children and a Labrador named Truffle, Paul became a partner in the practice in 2012.
Dr Susanna Cary
Susanna graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2004. She started working at the practice in 2005. From 2006 to 2009, Susanna traveled the world, and undertook locum jobs in the UK, Darwin and Townsville. In 2009 she rejoined the practice. Susanna is an accomplished rider who enjoys eventing & jumping.
Dr Brittany McRae
Brit graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2014. She enjoys working with all animals but has a particular passion for feline medicine and geriatric care in small animals. Brit shares her home with her cats Tardis, Ziggy, Ham and Stewart and a very naughty but very lovable Beagle named Bean.
Dr Raina Hirniak
Raina graduated form the University of Melbourne in 2017. A Melbourne local, she has a small aviary at home housing a galah, rainbow lorikeet and a cockatiel. A lover of all species, Raina also has three dogs, a clowder of ginger cats and three turtles!
Dr Dominique Strasser
Dominique graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2017. After spending her time growing up between Switzerland and Australia, she has now settled down at home with her dog Nellie. Domi enjoys all aspects of general practice, but has a special interest in wildlife medicine. Domi is currently on maternity leave.
Dr Abbey Buso
Originally from Victoria, Abbey graduated from Murdoch University in Perth in 2019. She has an interest in internal medicine and enjoys working with horses. In her spare time she rides her own horses Clyde & Arie, and takes long walks with her dog Brin, she also enjoys time in with her clowder of felines at home.
Dr Marika Ley
She’s back! After beginning her vet career with Bacchus Marsh as a new graduate, Marika worked overseas and at other practices before returning to BMVC in 2023.
Marika loves being a vet and is proud to have been practicing now for 29 years. She enjoys all aspects of small animal practice with a special interest in musculoskeletal problems and a passion for animal behaviour. In 2013 she completed her memberships in veterinary behaviour and conducts behaviour consults at the clinic. She and her husband share their home with their two adorable Golden Retrievers Darwin and Ada and their Isa Brown chooks “the spice girls”.
Dr Shawn Li
Shawn completed his veterinary studies and masters degree in Beijing and worked as medical veterinarian and ultrasonographer for four years before completing further studies at the University of Melbourne in 2020. He has a special interest in diagnostic imaging in small animals. Shawn has two cats named Miso and Shio and a dog named Mario. In his spare time enjoys cooking and more importantly – eating.
Dr Rebecca Denouden
Bec graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2020. She has an interest in small animal surgery and canine medicine. Bec has two Shepherds named Fletcher and Flynn and a Chihuahua named Flo who all enjoy hiking with Bec in her spare time. Bec will be on maternity leave as of Feb 2026.
Dr Vanessa Hsu
A wonderful new addition to the clinic, stay tuned for Dr Vanessa’s bio!
Dr Eden Liu
A wonderful new addition to the clinic, stay tuned for Dr Eden’s bio!
Dr Barry Min
Originally from China, Barry came to Australia for the first time when he was 16. He completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Melbourne in 2024. Barry joined the practice in 2025 with a burning passion for every aspect of the small animal veterinary field, especially surgery and internal medicine. He has a lovely boy cat – Levi. At his leisure, he enjoys exploring food and collecting fancy Crocs!
Dr Carla Wormald
A wonderful new addition to the clinic, stay tuned for Dr Carla’s bio! Carla is currently on maternity leave.
Dr Rachel Burfoot
Rachel graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2008. She currently works at the High Street Melton clinic on Saturdays. Rachel really enjoys working with small animals. She owns a cat called Toffee and a Border Collie x Kelpie called Belle.
OUR NURSES & SUPPORT STAFF
Bec Swan
Office Manager
Bec joined the clinic in 2008 on reception and is now our office manager. A woman of many talents, she spends some time nursing also.
Debbie Blight
Nurse
Debbie is our longest serving nurse! Having started with us in 1998 she is a local girl who lives on a nearby property with her family and 3 dogs, 2 horses & cats.
Deidre Cronin
Nurse
Dee has been with us since 2008 and is a qualified veterinary nurse. She loves all animals and has a menagere of her own at home.
Courtney Elliot
Nurse
Courtney joined our team as a kennel hand in 2006 and has since become one of our nursing staff. She has completed further nursing studies and in her spare time enjoys keeping fit and playing with her Springer Spaniel Ivy and playing with her feline duo Sam & Bruce. Courtney is currently on maternity leave.
Heather Livingstone
Nurse
Heather joined our team in 2016 while studying her formal nursing qualifications. Since finishing her studies she has become permanent member of our team. She is the girl behind the cuddles for your pets in hospital. In her spare time, she cuddles her own furbabies Mr Meowgi, Mya and Marty.
Samantha Rogers
Nurse
Sam joined our team in 2017, a local most of her life, she has a cert III in dog behaviour and training and a love for all animals. She has a cheeky Bull Terrier Bo and a Persian X Lando at home to keep her busy.
Lauren Herbert
Nurse
Lauren completed her nursing studies in 2017 and has been a part of our team ever since. She enjoys all aspects of her nursing and when off duty – spends her time chasing after her young children, or lifting weights at the gym.
Tamara Tuhan
Nurse
Born and raised in Bacchus Marsh, Tamara is a long standing member of our team. Tamara currently runs our Puppy Preschool and thoroughly enjoys canine behaviour and training. In her spare time, her 6 horses, 2 dogs and 3 cats keep her on her toes, as well as two little ones of her own.
Jenny Zawadzki
Nurse
Jenny joined the High Street Vet Clinic in 2004 and is a key member of the team. She has lived in Melton for 40 years and so is very familiar with the town. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys reading and gardening. She also takes great pleasure in spending time with, and looking after, her grandchildren.
Kate Geysing
Nurse
Kate has nursed at our Bacchus Marsh Centre since 2001. She had time off over the years to have and look after her 3 wonderful children and has since returned to join the team at our High Street clinic in Melton, she now enjoys nursing between both Bacchus Marsh and High Street. She has 2 cats and 3 dogs at home.
Andrea Borg
Nurse
Andrea joined our team after completing her studies in nursing in 2018. She loves all animals and is very passionate about their care and well-being. She has two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Madeline & Poppy who in her spare time enjoy going to the beach and out and about shopping with her.
Nicole Green
Nurse
Nic joined our team in 2019 after working in the field for some time. She is an integral member of our nursing team, and in her spare time chases around a large staghound x named Dave, a three legged cat named Nessie.
Nikita Walsh
Nurse
Nikita mostly holds down the fort at our High Street clinic, she is a passionate nurse and animal lover, with a gang of her own at home to keep her busy and keep her on her toes.
Ash Traianon
Nurse
Ash started with us in 2016 and has been a wonderful addition to the team. She loves working with dogs, particularly Golden Retrievers – no surprises that she has one of her own at home – Miss Ella!
Emily Closter
Nurse
Emily joined our team in 2021 to pursue her passion for working with animals. She loves working with cats, and has a soft spot for large dogs. At home she has a German Wirehaired pointed named Whisky and a crazy hound called Ava that keeps her busy, and a very fluffy “Dixie” cat who likes to think she’s a little dog!
Kirsten McNab
Nurse
Kirsten has been with us since 2020, and her and her fur family have certainly made an impact! Her Corgi Penny and cat Trevor keep her (and us) on our toes. Kirsten enjoys working in emergency situations and particularly enjoys surgical nursing.
Shanae Fenech
Nurse
Shanae started with the team in 2021. She has completed her studies in veterinary nursing and animal studies and loves working with all animals. At home she has 3 wonderful pooches, Lulu, Koda & Scuttle who she loves to adventure with in her spare time.
Wendy Wickstrom
Nurse
Wendy has been a Bacchus Marsh local since 2013 and has always loved dogs and cats, but was finally able to pursue her passion after her sons flew the coup. Joining the team in 2o21 while studying veterinary nursing Wendy is a valuable member of the team. She enjoys spending time with her dogs Sparky, Buffy, Emmett and her 6 cats.
Katie Chorley
Nurse
Katie joined the team in 2023 after working in specialist veterinary care in Melbourne. She enjoys working with all family pets and has a special interest in emergency and critical care medicine. One of our in-house cleaning enthusiasts, Katie spends her free time chasing and cleaning up after 3 dogs (Indigo, Chief & Charli), 2 cats (Maverick & Ellie), a husband and two kiddos.
Jessica Lynch
Nurse
Alyssa Pace
Nurse
Asha Gallagher
Kennel hand
Matilda
Kennel hand
OUR CLINIC CATS
Hector
Senior Management & HR (counselling)
Toby
Resident cuddle expert & pro-napper
Twistie
Light entertainment, model/actress
Twistie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge in August 2025. We will never forget her
William Wallace
Patient concierge
William passed away in February 2020, he will be so very missed.
